Krassimir Sterev was born in Bulgaria where he started his musical education in Plovdiv. He continued his studies at the University of Music, Graz, as well as in Denmark where he held a scholarship from the Royal Danish Academy of Music, graduating as accordion soloist. His musical development was strongly influenced by teachers like Mogens Ellegaard, James Crabb and Georg Schulz.

Krassimir Sterev performs internationally as a soloist and member of chamber music formations, ensembles and orchestras and plays at many renowned festivals. His engagements include appearances in various theatre and dance theatre productions and projects specifically developed for children.

Krassimir Sterev became a member of Klangforum Wien in 2003. He has also worked with the Vienna Philharmonic (under Pierre Boulez and Daniel Barenboim), the London Philharmonia Orchestra and the RSO Wien, with the ensembles Kontrapunkte, musikFabrik and Ensemble Phace and he is part of the Amos Trio.

In addition, Krassimir Sterev focusses his attention on the development of a special repertoire for accordion. Many composers have written new pieces for him – amongst them Bernhard Lang, Pierluigi Billone, Bernhard Gander, Olga Neuwirth, Aureliano Cattaneo, Rebecca Saunders, Chaya Czernowin and Hannes Kerschbaumer – which he premièred.